by Whitney Matheson, USA TODAY

by Whitney Matheson, USA TODAY

Note: This post discusses Sunday's season finale of Downton Abbey. While I tried to keep it relatively spoiler-free, you still may want to skip it if you haven't caught up.

Since many of you had Monday off, I decided to postpone a discussion of the Downton Abbey finale. Waiting a day also gives us a chance to cool off a bit. Even though the episode's shocking plot twist has been making waves on the Internet for months, it's still hard to accept.

Though many critics have said Season 3 of Downton was better than Season 2, I'm not so sure. For once I was a little relieved when this season ended, and I feel like I need a break from the soapy series.

Sure, this season had its highlights: Edith finally got a decent storyline, Thomas became more human, Mary and Matthew wed. I adored Shirley MacLaine's scenes with the Dowager Countess, and Sybil's storyline was particularly powerful, albeit devastating.

But I failed to grow fond of many new characters - particularly the mischievous Lady Rose and the fresh-faced footmen - and I can't say I was terribly interested in strung-out subplots involving cooks Ethel and Ivy. (Bates' imprisonment also proved the series is at its best when it takes place at Downton itself.)

I'd prefer to leave my spoiler-y thoughts in the comments, but note that series creator Julian Fellowes addresses several questions from the season in this two-part interview. He notes that two cast members requested to leave the show, thereby sealing their fate:

"When an actor playing a servant wants to leave, there isn't really a problem - (that character gets) another job," he says. "With members of the family, once they're not prepared to come back for any episodes at all, then it means death."

How did you feel about the finale? Downton has always moved quickly, but did the years pass too quickly this season? What was the season's best/worst moment?

Chime in, and I'll do the same. If you missed the episode, it's streaming over at www.pbs.org.

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